The Eye-Opener

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has issued a statement following the concession of Sen. Steve Saland who was one of the four Republicans who helped pass same-sex marriage in New York.

Senator Stephen Saland has been an exemplary representative for the Hudson Valley whose leadership has made New York a better place.

Steve has been a true partner who always put what was right before politics, and worked with me during the past two years to rebuild this state and restore the peopleâ€™s faith in government. Throughout his career, he championed issues that directly affected New Yorkers, from strengthening protections against domestic violence, to putting in place an all-crimes DNA databank. As a result of his courage, tens of thousands of couples here in New York State have the freedom to marry whom they choose. Steve is a public servant of remarkable character, integrity, and courage and serves as a model for our collective aspirations of how our elected officials should perform. It is unfortunate that an elected official who stood so strong for equality, as Steve did, was not able to survive in today's political environment.

I thank Steve for his work on behalf of the people of the state of New York and his friendship, and give my warmest wishes to him, his wife Linda, and their family as they enter this next phase."

The top court in the state declined to hear an appeal from New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms on overturning the state's same-sex marriage law today. Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued this statement:

Today, the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest court in the State, denied leave to appeal the validity of the Marriage Equality Act, which affords same-sex couples in this State the right to marry. New York State has served as a beacon for progressive ideals and this statute is a clear reminder of what this State stands for: equality and justice for all. With the Courtâ€™s decision, same-sex couples no longer have to worry that their right to marry could be legally challenged in this State. The freedom to marry in this State is secure for generations to come.

The Defense of Marriage Act was ruled unconstitutional today by a Federal Appeals Court in Manhattan. Gov. Andrew Cuomo who successfully championed the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York issued this statement:

In June 2011, New York State inspired the rest of the nation by becoming the largest state to achieve marriage equality. Todayâ€™s ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit provides further momentum for national progress on this important civil rights issue. What we did here in New York can only be the beginning, and we must continue to work together until all Americans are free to marry whom they love and are entitled to all of the rights and benefits of marriage equally, regardless of sexual orientation."

Cuomo congratulates Sen. Tom Duane on the floor of the Senate after the passage of same-sex marriage legislation. Photo courtesy of The Office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

What do you do if you are a billionaire mayor who is about to be term limited out of office, and you've already extended term limits once?

You start putting your money to use across the country to make sure your voice is still heard.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced today that he will spend "eight figures" to influence gun laws and education policy across the country. The money will be spent to support moderates and independents around the country.

Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson will oversee the venture. Bloomberg said in a statement:

It's critically important that we have elected officials in Washington, Albany, and around the nation who are willing to work across party lines to achieve real results. Iâ€™ve always believed in the need for more independent leadership, and this new effort will support candidates and causes that will help protect Americans from the scourge of gun violence, improve our schools, and advance our freedoms

Two of the races involving State Senate Republicans who voted for sam-sex marriage that were too close to call on election night look like they are close to being resolved. After a recount Hudson Valley Sen. Steve Saland looks to have defeated his opponent Neil Di Carlo by 107 votes. Meanwhile, Sen. Roy McDonald of Saratoga appears to have lost his primary to Kathleen Marchione by a narrow margin. Sen. Mark Grisanti, another Republican support of same-sex marraige won a clear victory on election night while his colleague Sen. Jim Alessi chose not to seek reelection. Both sides of the debate over gay marriage are claiming victory despite the clearly mixed results.

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